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Midweek, Bay Collective revealed the recruitment of Van Ginhoven, England's managerial lead working with head coach Sarina Wiegman, taking on the role of director of global women’s football operations. The new collective club ownership initiative, with the San Francisco-based Bay FC as its inaugural team in its portfolio, has a history in hiring individuals from the national football governing body.

The hiring earlier this year of Cossington, the well-respected ex-technical director for the FA, to the CEO role acted as a clear statement from the collective. Cossington understands women’s football thoroughly and currently has gathered an executive team with profound insight of the evolution of the women's game and filled with practical experience.

Van Ginhoven becomes the third core member of the manager's inner circle to depart in the current year, with Cossington departing prior to Euro 2025 and assistant coach, Veurink, moving on to take up the role of manager of the Dutch national team, however her decision came sooner.

Moving on has been a shock to the system, yet “My choice was made to exit the national setup well in advance”, Van Ginhoven states. “I had a contract covering four years, similar to Veurink and Wiegman did. When they renewed, I previously indicated I wasn't sure whether I would. I had grown accustomed to the whole idea that post-Euros I wouldn’t be part of England any more.”

The tournament turned into an emotional competition as a result. “It's sharp in my memory, discussing with the head coach when I disclosed regarding my plans and we then remarked: ‘There’s just one dream, how incredible it would be that we win the Euros?’ Generally, it’s not like hopes materialize frequently however, against the odds, this one did.”

Wearing a Netherlands-colored shirt, she holds dual affections after her time in England, where she helped achieve securing consecutive European championships and was a part of the coaching setup for the Netherlands’ triumph in the 2017 European Championship.

“The national team will forever have an emotional connection for me. Therefore, it’s going to be tough, particularly now knowing that the squad are scheduled to come for national team duty soon,” she says. “Whenever the two nations face off, who do I support? Today I have on orange, but tomorrow it’s white.”

A speedboat allows for rapid direction changes. In a lean group like this one, it's effortless to accomplish.

Bay FC was not initially considered as the organisational wizard was deciding it was time to move on, but the opportunity arose perfectly. The chief executive began assembling the team and mutual beliefs were crucial.

“Almost from the very first moment we got together we had that click moment,” states Van Ginhoven. “We were instantly aligned. We have spoken at length about different things related to developing women's football and what we think is the right way.”

These executives are not the only figures to uproot themselves from prominent roles in the European game for an uncharted opportunity in the United States. The Spanish club's female football technical lead, González, has been announced as Bay Collective’s global sporting director.

“I was highly interested to that strong belief of the power within the female sport,” she explains. “I'm familiar with Cossington for a long time; when I used to work at Fifa, she served as England's technical director, and it’s easy to make these decisions when you know you will have around you individuals who motivate you.”

The profound understanding among their staff distinguishes them, explains Van Ginhoven, for the collective one of several fresh club ownership ventures that have started lately. “It's a standout feature of our approach. Various methods are valid, but we are firm in our belief in ensuring deep football understanding,” she states. “All three of us have progressed in female football, for most of our lives.”

According to their online statement, the goal of this group is to advocate and innovate a progressive and sustainable ecosystem for women's football clubs, based on what works to meet the varied requirements of women. Achieving this, with everyone on the same page, eliminating the need for persuasion regarding certain decisions, is incredibly freeing.

“I compare it with moving from a large ship to a fast boat,” says Van Ginhoven. “You're journeying across unmapped territories – a common Dutch expression, not sure how it comes across – and you must depend on your individual understanding and experience to make the right decision. You can change direction and move quickly with a speedboat. In a small team like this, that’s easily done.”

González continues: “In this role, we begin with a clean canvas to build upon. For me, our work involves shaping the sport on a much broader level and that clean start permits you to undertake any direction you choose, following the sport's regulations. That is the advantage of what we are building together.”

The ambition is high, the executives are voicing opinions athletes and supporters want to hear and it will be interesting to observe the evolution of Bay Collective, the team and other teams that may join.

For a flavour of what is to come, which elements are crucial of a high-performance environment? “{It all starts and ends with|Everything begins and concludes with|The foundation and culmination involve